[clay68c10]

I'm pretty sure all the bolt holes on the block will be SAE.

Wiring a fuel pump is not a big deal, with the ethanol content these days I'd prefer electric.

A good (thick flange, coated) set of short headers will work nicely to make power and last.

You could get a newer 454 or 8.1(496) core and build a copy of the crate, it might be cheaper and you get the same benefits of roller cam and one piece rear main. You could build an 8.1 for a similar price to the 402.

I had a 68 396 truck a while back and figured out it was the same $ to build a 454 so that's what I did. It was 2004 and had the 8.1 been available like it is now I would have built one of those.